Connecting mechanism and locking mechanism for optical tomography device

Abstract

The connection mechanism (242) of the present invention is constructed such that the male connection part (500) is moved toward the female connection part (600) in a state where the inclined end surface (536) of the male connection part (500) is in contact with the protrusion (618) of the female connection part (600), the male connection part (500) is rotated, and the protrusion (618) is inserted into the guide part (534), thereby connecting the connector (532) to the adapter (610). In addition, the locking mechanism (243) is constructed so that the protrusion (704) of the male locking part (700) contacts the wall (858) of the circumferential recess (842) provided on the base end side cylindrical part (806) of the female locking part (800), and in this state, the base end side cylindrical part (806) is moved toward the base end side fixing part (804) by further overcoming the force of the spring (854), and then the male locking part (700) is rotated, thereby moving toward the space (856) of the circumferential recess (842).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connecting mechanism and a locking mechanism for an optical tomography device. Background Art

[0002] A tomography system for capturing cross-sectional images of various tubular elements of a living body, such as the digestive tract, pancreatic and bile ducts, fallopian tubes, urethra, trachea, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels, generally comprises a tomography system body having an optical probe for insertion into the tubular element and a drive unit for rotating the optical probe to obtain a cross-sectional image of the entire circumference of the tubular element.

[0003] The optical probe is a replacement component that is installed in the tomography system body each time a tomography image is taken. After the tomography image is taken, the optical probe must be removed from the tomography system body and discarded. Therefore, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose connection mechanisms that allow for the replacement of the optical probe.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 5139298

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 5150725

[0008] The connecting mechanism is provided on the optical probe and the drive unit, respectively. Each of the connecting mechanism of the optical probe and the drive unit is configured as a detachable connector having an optical fiber passing therethrough. By mating the connectors, the optical fiber is connected, thereby connecting the optical probe and the drive unit.

[0009] On the other hand, if the connector is not properly engaged, the optical probe and the drive unit will not be properly connected. Therefore, the optical probe's connection mechanism and the drive unit's connection mechanism are preferably configured to guide the respective connectors into the correct position. In addition, the connection between the optical probe and the drive unit is preferably locked so that the connection between the optical probe and the drive unit is not accidentally released due to rotation of the drive unit. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Therefore, the present invention provides a connection mechanism and a locking mechanism for reliably connecting an optical probe and a driving unit.

[0011] To achieve this object, a connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is a connection mechanism for connecting an optical probe used in an optical tomography apparatus and a drive unit for rotating the optical probe, and is characterized in that:

[0012] (a) The connecting mechanism comprises:

[0013] a substantially cylindrical female connection portion disposed on a distal end side of the driving portion;

[0014] A substantially cylindrical male connection portion provided on the base end side of the optical probe,

[0015] (b) The female connection portion comprises:

[0016] a substantially cylindrical proximal end rotating cylinder portion provided coaxially with the central axis of the female connection portion at the distal end of the female connection portion;

[0017] an adapter fixed to the inner side of the female connecting portion;

[0018] a protrusion formed on the inner peripheral surface of the female connecting portion,

[0019] (c) The male connection portion comprises:

[0020] a substantially cylindrical distal end rotating cylinder portion provided coaxially with the central axis of the male connecting portion at the base end of the male connecting portion;

[0021] a connector fixed to the inner side of the distal end rotating cylinder in a manner corresponding to the adapter;

[0022] a guide portion formed on an outer peripheral surface of the distal end rotating cylinder portion and extending from an end portion on a proximal side of the distal end rotating cylinder portion toward a distal end along an axial direction of the male connecting portion;

[0023] an inclined end surface that is symmetrical with respect to a plane including the guide portion and the central axis on the base end side of the distal end rotating cylinder portion and extends toward the base end side along the axial direction of the male connecting portion,

[0024] The distal end side rotating cylinder is configured to rotate around the axis of the male connection portion.

[0025] (d) The connector is connected to the adapter by inserting the distal end side rotating cylinder of the male connecting part into the proximal end side rotating cylinder of the female connecting part so that the inclined end surface of the male connecting part abuts against the protrusion of the female connecting part, moving the male connecting part toward the female connecting part, rotating the male connecting part, and inserting the protrusion into the guide part.

[0026] A locking mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention is a locking mechanism that maintains connection between an optical probe used in an optical tomography apparatus and a driving unit that rotates the optical probe, and is characterized in that:

[0027] (a) The locking mechanism comprises: a female locking portion having a substantially cylindrical shape provided on the distal end side of the driving portion; and a male locking portion having a substantially cylindrical shape provided on the proximal end side of the optical probe and configured to be inserted into the inner side of the female locking portion.

[0028] (b) The male locking portion comprises:

[0029] a protrusion provided on the outer peripheral surface of the male locking portion,

[0030] (c) The female locking portion comprises:

[0031] a substantially cylindrical distal end cylindrical member fixed to the driving portion at a distal end of the female locking portion and coaxially with the central axis of the female locking portion;

[0032] a substantially cylindrical proximal end fixing member fixed to the driving portion on the proximal end side of the female locking portion so as to face the distal end cylindrical member;

[0033] a substantially cylindrical proximal end cylindrical member disposed between the distal end cylindrical member and the proximal end fixing member and movable in the axial direction of the female locking portion;

[0034] a spring that urges the base end side cylindrical member toward the distal end side,

[0035] The terminal side cylindrical member comprises:

[0036] a protrusion provided on the inner peripheral surface of the distal end cylindrical member and extending along the axial direction of the female locking portion toward the base end side of the female locking portion;

[0037] a longitudinal groove provided on one end side of the protrusion in the circumferential direction, for the protrusion of the male locking portion to pass through;

[0038] The base end side cylindrical member has a circumferential recessed portion on its inner circumferential surface. The circumferential recessed portion has a shape corresponding to the protrusion and has a circumferential length greater than that of the protrusion.

[0039] The circumferential recess is configured such that the protrusion fits into the circumferential recess in a state where the base end cylindrical member is biased by the spring, and a space is formed on the determination side of the protrusion via the longitudinal groove.

[0040] (d) The protrusion of the male locking part is constructed so that when the male locking part is inserted into the terminal side cylindrical part of the female locking part, the protrusion contacts the wall of the circumferential recess provided on the base end side cylindrical part of the female locking part through the longitudinal groove of the terminal side cylindrical part. In this state, after further overcoming the force of the spring to move the base end side cylindrical part toward the base end side fixing part, the male locking part is rotated, thereby moving to the space of the circumferential recess.

[0041] Effects of the Invention

[0042] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a connection mechanism is provided for reliably connecting the optical probe and the driving unit by reliably guiding the connector provided on the male connection portion of the optical probe and the adapter provided on the female connection portion of the driving unit to the correct positions. In addition, according to another embodiment of the present invention, a locking mechanism is provided for locking the connection between the male connection portion of the optical probe and the female connection portion of the driving unit, so that the male locking portion of the optical probe and the female locking portion of the driving unit will not inadvertently release the connection between the optical probe and the driving unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an optical tomography apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the male connecting portion and the male locking portion.

[0045] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Cross-sectional view of the male connecting portion and the male locking portion shown.

[0046] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the male connector and the female connector.

[0047] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the male connector and the female connector.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection between the male connector and the female connector.

[0049] Figure 7 It is a schematic diagram showing a female locking portion.

[0050] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram showing the fitting of the male locking portion and the female locking portion.

[0051] Figure 9 It is a schematic diagram showing the fitting of the male locking portion and the female locking portion.

[0052] Figure 10It is a schematic diagram showing the fitting of the male locking portion and the female locking portion.

[0053] Figure 11 It is a schematic diagram showing the fitting of the male locking portion and the female locking portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] Hereinafter, embodiments of a connection mechanism and a locking mechanism for an optical tomography apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] [Optical tomography device]

[0056] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of a wavelength swept-source optical coherence tomography apparatus (SS-OCT: Swept Source Optical Coherence Tomography) 100 according to the embodiment is shown.

[0057] The SS-OCT 100 includes an optical unit 200 and a signal processing unit 400 .

[0058] [Optical Department]

[0059] The optical unit 200 includes multiple optical elements. These include a wavelength-swept light source 210, a first optical coupler 212, a first optical circulator 214, a second optical circulator 216, a second optical coupler 218, a biological tubular element imaging unit 220, an optical distance adjustment unit 222, and a detection unit 224. As described below, these optical elements are optically coupled to each other via an optical transmission element, such as an optical fiber.

[0060] [Wavelength swept light source]

[0061] The wavelength swept light source 210 outputs light required for imaging a cross section of a tubular element of a living body. The wavelength swept light source 210 is configured to periodically change the wavelength of the output light, for example, sweeping the wavelength from 1260 nm to 1360 nm at a frequency of 100 kHz.

[0062] [First Optocoupler]

[0063] The first optical coupler (splitter) 212 is a component that optically couples two parallel optical fibers by heating and fusing portions thereof. One of the two optical fibers optically couples the first optical coupler 212 to the first optical circulator 214, while the other optical fiber optically couples the wavelength-swept light source 210 to the second optical circulator 216 via the first optical coupler 212. Therefore, the light output from the wavelength-swept light source 210 is split into two beams by the first optical coupler 212. One of the split beams is sent to the first optical circulator 214, while the other is sent to the second optical circulator 216.

[0064] [First Light Circulator]

[0065] The first optical circulator 214 is a three-port optical circulator, the first port of which is connected to the first optical coupler 212, the second port is connected to the second optical coupler 218, and the third port is connected to the living body tubular element imaging unit 220. The first optical circulator 214 transmits light transmitted from the wavelength swept light source 210 via the first optical coupler 212 to the living body tubular element imaging unit 220, and transmits light returned from the living body tubular element imaging unit 220 to the second optical coupler 218.

[0066] [Second optical circulator]

[0067] The second circulator 216 is a three-port optical circulator, the first port of which is connected to the first optical coupler 212, the second port is connected to the second optical coupler 218, and the third port is connected to the optical distance adjustment unit 222. The second circulator 216 sends light sent from the wavelength-swept light source 210 to the second optical circulator 216 via the first optical coupler 212 to the optical distance adjustment unit 222, and sends light returned from the optical distance adjustment unit 222 to the second optical coupler 218.

[0068] [Second photocoupler]

[0069] The second optical coupler 218 (interference unit) is a portion that optically couples an optical fiber whose one end (base end) is connected to the first optical circulator 214 and whose one end (base end) is connected to the second optical circulator 216 by heating and fusing them midway. This portion causes the light (reflected light) sent from the biological tubular element imaging unit 220 via the first optical circulator 214 to the second optical coupler 218 to overlap with the light (reference light) sent from the optical distance adjustment unit 222 via the second optical circulator 216 to the second optical coupler 218, thereby generating interference light.

[0070] [Biological tubular element photography department]

[0071] The biological tubular element imaging unit 220 includes a base 226 and a lens 226 extending in a predetermined direction ( Figure 1 A linear motion unit 228 is provided for linear movement (in both the left and right directions). The linear motion unit 228 is connected to a linear motion motor 230 mounted on a base 226 and is configured to move forward or backward in a predetermined direction based on the drive of the linear motion motor 230. The base end of a hollow cylindrical flexible tube (hereinafter referred to as a "sheath") 232 made of a translucent resin is removably secured to the base 226 via a retainer 233. As shown in the figure, the base end of the sheath 232 is open, and the distal end is closed.

[0072] The linear motion portion 228 is provided with a base end collimating lens 234 and a terminal end collimating lens 236. The base end collimating lens 234 and the terminal end collimating lens 236 are arranged on one optical axis with a predetermined interval therebetween. Light passing through the base end collimating lens 234 passes along the optical axis of the terminal end collimating lens 236.

[0073] The proximal collimating lens 234 is fixed to the linear motion unit 228 and optically connected to the first optical circulator 214 via an optical fiber.

[0074] The distal end collimating lens 236 is supported by a rotating portion (driving portion) 238 provided on the linear motion portion 228. The rotating portion 238 is rotatably supported on the linear motion portion 228 about the optical axes of the proximal end collimating lens 234 and the distal end collimating lens 236, while maintaining a constant distance between the proximal end collimating lens 234 and the distal end collimating lens 236.

[0075] The rotating portion 238 is drivingly coupled to a rotary motor 240 fixed to the linear moving portion 228 via a rotation transmission mechanism (not shown) including, for example, gears and a toothed belt.

[0076] An optical probe 300 is detachably connected to the rotating portion 238. The optical probe 300 includes an optical fiber 310 and an optical component 312. The optical component 312 is connected to the distal end of the optical fiber 310. The proximal end of the optical fiber 310 is detachably connected to the rotating portion 238 via a connecting mechanism 242 and a locking mechanism 243, described later. The optical fiber 310 rotates as the rotating portion 238 rotates, and light focused by the distal collimating lens 236 enters the core of the optical fiber 310 from the proximal end.

[0077] Light incident from the base end of optical fiber 310 enters optical component 312 via the distal end of optical fiber 310. Optical component 312 has an inclined surface 314 at its distal end. Light incident on optical component 312 is reflected by inclined surface 314, then travels in a direction perpendicular to optical fiber 310 and is emitted radially from the side surface of optical component 312 at the distal end. Conversely, light incident on optical component 312 from the side surface of optical component 312 at the distal end passes through inclined surface 314 and enters optical fiber 310.

[0078] The sheath 232 and optical probe 300 are provided with the optical probe 300 inserted into the sheath 232. During use, the optical fiber 310 of the optical probe 300 is connected to the rotating portion 238 via the connecting mechanism 242 and the locking mechanism 243, and the base end of the sheath 232 is fixed to the base 226 by the retainer 233.

[0079] Therefore, based on the drive of the linear motion motor 230, the linear motion unit 228 and the optical probe 300 move forward and backward relative to the base 226. On the other hand, the sheath 232 is retained on the base 226. Therefore, based on the drive of the linear motion motor 230, the optical probe 300 moves forward and backward in the sheath 232. In addition, based on the drive of the rotary motor 240, the rotary unit 238 rotates around the optical axis. At this time, since the optical probe 300 is connected to the rotary unit 238 via the connecting mechanism 242 and the locking mechanism 243, it rotates together with the rotary unit 238. Thus, the light sent from the first optical circulator 214 to the imaging unit 220 is incident on the optical fiber 310 via the base side collimating lens 234 and the terminal side collimating lens 236, and is then emitted from the optical fiber 310 in a radial direction through the optical component 312, and the emitted light scans at a constant speed in the circumferential direction centered on the optical axis.

[0080] The size of the sheath 232 and the optical probe 300 housed therein is appropriately determined based on the size of the tubular element of the biological body being imaged. To ensure stable rotation of the optical probe 300 within the sheath 232, the inner diameter of the sheath 232 and the outer diameter of the optical probe 300 housed therein are determined to be approximately 50 μm larger than the maximum outer diameter of the optical component 312, for example. For example, if the maximum outer diameter of the optical component 312 is approximately 200 to 500 μm, the inner diameter of the sheath 232 should be approximately 250 to 550 μm.

[0081] [Optical distance adjustment unit]

[0082] The optical distance adjustment unit 222 includes a collimating lens 242 and a reference reflector 244. The collimating lens 242 is immovably fixed. The reference reflector 244 has a reflective surface (reflective mirror surface) perpendicular to the optical axis of the collimating lens 242. The reference reflector 244 is supported on a linear motion unit 246. The linear motion unit 246 is movable along the optical axis of the collimating lens 242. The linear motion unit 246 is also connected to a linear motion motor 248 and is configured to move forward and backward toward the collimating lens 242 based on the drive of the linear motion motor 248, thereby adjusting the optical distance (optical distance) of the reference light.

[0083] [Testing Department]

[0084] The detector 224 is an optical component that receives the light transmitted from the second optical coupler 218 and performs photoelectric conversion. Specifically, it is a dual-balanced detector having two optical input sections. The dual-balanced detector includes two photodiodes that detect the light (interference light) transmitted from the second optical coupler 218. These two photodiodes are connected to the ends of the two optical fibers that constitute the second optical coupler 218. The detector 224 is further configured to convert the light input from the two optical fibers into electrical signals and then, by canceling out the DC components contained in these electrical signals, extract only the electrical signal based on the interference light.

[0085] [Signal Processing Unit]

[0086] Signal processing unit 400 includes a control unit 410, an analog / digital (A / D) converter 414, a Fourier transform unit 416, an image processing unit 418, and an image display unit (monitor) 420. In the figure, A / D converter 414, Fourier transform unit 416, and image processing unit 418 represent functional blocks, which do not necessarily need to be physical structures and may be part of a program stored in the storage unit of control unit 410, which will be described later.

[0087] [Control Department]

[0088] The control unit 410 includes a control unit, a computing unit, and a storage unit (not shown). The storage unit can temporarily store programs required to execute the processing described below and various data (e.g., image data) generated during the processing. The computing unit performs the calculations required for the processing described below according to the programs stored in the storage unit.

[0089] Although not shown in the figure, the control unit 410 is configured to be communicatively connected to the various devices included in the optical unit 200 (the wavelength-sweeping light source 210, the rotating motor 240, the linear motion motor 230, and the linear motion motor 248 of the reference reflector 244), and to drive and control these devices separately according to the program of the storage unit.

[0090] Although not shown, the control unit 410 is connected to an input unit and executes the processing described below based on signals input from the input unit. The input unit may be any of a keyboard, pointing device, touch screen, mouse, joystick, trackball, scanner, OCR, OMR, voice input device, and tablet.

[0091] [A / D conversion unit]

[0092] The A / D converter 414 converts the analog signal (electrical signal based on the interference light) output from the detector 224 into a digital signal.

[0093] [Fourier Transformation Unit]

[0094] The Fourier transform unit 416 performs Fourier transform (e.g., fast Fourier transform, discrete Fourier transform) on the digital signal output from the A / D conversion unit 414 to obtain the intensity (power spectrum) of the interference light relative to the difference between the optical distance of the reflected light and the optical distance of the reference light (optical distance difference).

[0095] [Image Processing Department]

[0096] The image processing unit 418 receives the power spectrum including the spectral components of the biological tubular element and the sheath 232 from the Fourier transform unit 416 , and outputs image information for each rotation angle of the optical probe 300 based on the intensity distribution of the biological tubular element and the sheath 232 in the power spectrum.

[0097] [Image display unit]

[0098] The image display unit 420 is a normal monitor and outputs the image output from the image processing unit 418 .

[0099] [Connection mechanism]

[0100] The connection mechanism 242 connecting the optical probe 300 and the rotating part 238 includes: a male connection part 500 (see Figure 2 、 3 ); provided on the rotating portion 238 of the female connection portion 600 (reference Figure 4 ).

[0101] [Male connection part on the optical probe side]

[0102] Figure 2 、 Figure 3 : represents the male connector 500. The male connector 500 has a main shaft 510. The main shaft 510 has a hollow cylindrical optical fiber holding portion 514 extending along a central axis 512. The optical fiber holding portion 514 has a waveguide (optical fiber insertion hole) 515 consisting of an elongated hole extending along the central axis 512. The end of the waveguide 515 ( Figure 3 The left end portion of the optical fiber 310 is optically coupled to the base end portion of the optical fiber 310.

[0103] An optical fiber 516 is housed in the waveguide 515 so as to be rotatable about and movable along the axis 512. The inner diameter of the waveguide 515 is designed to be substantially the same as the outer diameter of the optical fiber 516. Therefore, light emitted from the optical fiber 516 into the waveguide 515 enters the optical fiber 310 via the waveguide 515, and light emitted from the optical fiber 310 into the waveguide 515 enters the optical fiber 516. Thus, the waveguide 515 optically couples the optical fiber 310 at the distal end with the optical fiber 516 at the proximal end.

[0104] The main shaft portion 510 has a Figure 2 、 Figure 3 The optical fiber holder 514 has two protruding cylindrical portions (on the right side), namely, an inner cylindrical portion 518 arranged concentrically with the central axis 512 so as to surround the proximal end side of the optical fiber holder 514; and an outer cylindrical portion (distal end cylindrical cover) 520 arranged concentrically with the central axis 512 and the inner cylindrical portion 518 so as to surround the inner cylindrical portion 518. The proximal end of the outer cylindrical portion 520 extends further toward the proximal end side than the proximal end of the inner cylindrical portion 518, and a proximal end cylindrical cover 521 is concentrically connected to the extended portion. A small-diameter cylindrical portion 522 is formed on the distal end side of the proximal end cylindrical cover 521, and the small-diameter cylindrical portion 522 is inserted into the proximal end of the outer cylindrical portion 520, thereby connecting the distal and proximal end cylindrical covers 520 and 521.

[0105] The male connection portion 500 on the optical probe 300 side has a roughly cylindrical terminal rotating cylinder portion 523 on the base end side, which extends along the central axis 512, is coaxial with the central axis 512 and is rotatable around the axis 512. The base end side of the terminal rotating cylinder portion 523 is open. An annular inner wall 524 extending radially inward and an annular outer wall (flange) 528 extending radially outward are integrally formed on the terminal side of the terminal rotating cylinder portion 523. A through hole 526 centered on the axis 512 is formed in the center of the annular inner wall 524. The through hole 526 has a size that allows the optical fiber 516 to pass through. The outer diameter of the annular outer wall 528 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer cylindrical portion 520 and larger than the inner diameter of the small-diameter cylinder portion 522. Therefore, the distal rotating cylinder portion 523 can move between a retracted position where the distal end surface of the annular inner wall 524 abuts the proximal end of the inner cylindrical portion 518 and an advanced position where the proximal end surface of the annular outer wall 528 abuts the small-diameter cylinder portion 522 .

[0106] Inside the distal end rotating cylinder 523 , a hollow cylindrical elastic member 530 fixed to the annular inner wall 524 and an optical fiber connector 532 fixed to the base end of the elastic member 530 are arranged concentrically with the central axis 512 .

[0107] The elastic member 530 is preferably formed of synthetic rubber such as natural rubber or nitrile rubber.

[0108] The optical fiber connector 532 is, for example, an SC connector for connecting optical fibers, and is optically connected to the proximal end of the optical fiber 516. The proximal end of the optical fiber connector 532 has a shape and size that can be connected to an adapter (driver-side adapter) 610 of the female connector 600 described later.

[0109] like Figure 3 、 Figure 5As shown, the distal end rotating cylinder 523 is formed with a guide portion 534 extending from the base end toward the distal end of the distal end rotating cylinder 523 in parallel with the shaft 512. In the embodiment, the guide portion 534 is a narrow groove extending through the inner and outer circumferential surfaces of the distal end rotating cylinder 523, but may also be a bottomed groove formed along the inner circumferential surface of the distal end rotating cylinder 523.

[0110] The base end of the distal rotating cylinder 523 is formed with an inclined end surface 536 along a plane obliquely intersecting the shaft 512. The distal-most portion (deepest portion) of the inclined end surface 536 coincides with the guide portion 534, and the inclined end surface 536 has a symmetrical shape with respect to a plane including the guide portion 534 and the shaft 512.

[0111] [Female connection part on the rotating part side]

[0112] Figures 4 to 6 The female connector 600 is shown. The female connector 600 includes a proximal rotating cylinder 612. The proximal rotating cylinder 612 constitutes a portion of the connection mechanism 242 and is coaxially arranged with the optical axis of the distal collimating lens 236 provided on the rotating portion 238. The proximal and distal sides of the proximal rotating cylinder 612 are open, and an adapter 610 of a shape and size that can be connected to the connector 532 is fixed to the distal side of an annular wall 614 provided between the proximal and distal sides. The central axis of the adapter 610 is aligned with the central axis 616 of the proximal rotating cylinder 612, and a light guide (not shown) formed within the adapter 610 is optically connected to the distal collimating lens 236 provided on the rotating portion 238.

[0113] The base-end rotating cylinder 612 is configured so that its inner diameter is substantially the same as the outer diameter of the distal-end rotating cylinder 523 of the male connecting portion 500 on the optical probe 300 side, and can be attached to the distal-end rotating cylinder 523 when the male connecting portion 500 and the female connecting portion 600 are connected. On the inner circumferential surface of the base-end rotating cylinder 612, a slender protrusion 618 or a protrusion consisting of a cylindrical protrusion extending straight in the direction of the central axis 616 is formed corresponding to the guide portion 534 of the distal-end rotating cylinder 523. By inserting the protrusion 618 of the base-end rotating cylinder 612 into the guide portion 534 of the distal-end rotating cylinder 523, the base-end rotating cylinder 612 is positioned circumferentially relative to the distal-end rotating cylinder 523, thereby achieving a state in which the connector 532 and the adapter 610 can be connected.

[0114] [Locking mechanism]

[0115] In the embodiment, the locking mechanism 243 for maintaining the connection between the male connecting portion 500 of the optical probe 300 and the female connecting portion 600 of the rotating portion 238 includes a male locking portion 700 on the optical probe 300 side and a female locking portion 800 on the rotating portion 238 side (see FIG. Figure 2 、 3 , 7~11).

[0116] [Male lock part]

[0117] like Figure 2 、 Figure 3 As shown, the male locking portion 700 includes a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 701 provided on the proximal side of the outer cylindrical portion (distal end cylindrical cover) 520 constituting a portion of the male connecting portion 500, and a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 702 of the proximal end cylindrical cover 521. The outer peripheral surfaces 701 and 702 have the same outer diameter and are coaxially arranged with respect to the shaft 512, forming a cylindrical outer peripheral surface 703 that is continuous in the axial direction.

[0118] A pair of cylindrical protrusions 704 (only one protrusion is shown) are formed on the outer peripheral surface 701. The pair of cylindrical protrusions 704 are spaced apart from the base end of the outer peripheral surface 701 and protrude radially outward at positions symmetrical to the central axis 512 (180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction). At the base end of the outer peripheral surface 701, a narrow groove 705 is formed along a plane containing the central axis 512 and the center of the protrusion 704, penetrating the cylindrical portion 520 at positions symmetrical to the central axis 512 (180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction). On the other hand, in the small diameter cylindrical portion 522 (refer to Figure 3 ) is formed on the outer peripheral surface 706 thereof, extending in the direction of the central axis 512. Another long protrusion 708 is formed on the outer peripheral surface 702 thereof, extending in the direction of the central axis 512. Protrusions 707 and 708 are arranged on the same straight line. The height of protrusion 707 is determined so that its front end (radially outer end) is aligned with the outer peripheral surface 702 of the cover 710.

[0119] With such a structure, the outer cylindrical portion (end side cylindrical cover) 520 and the end side cylindrical cover 521 are connected in a state of being positioned in the circumferential direction by inserting the protrusion 707 of the end side cylindrical cover 521 into the narrow groove 705. As described above, since the height of the protrusion 707 is determined so that its front end is consistent with the outer peripheral surface 702, the protrusion 707 does not protrude from the outer peripheral surface 701 when the covers 520 and 521 are connected. In addition, a predetermined gap 709 is separated in the direction of the axis 512 between the protrusion 704 and the protrusion 708 (see Figure 2 ).

[0120] [Female locking part]

[0121] Figure 7The figure shows the appearance of the female locking portion 800. The female locking portion 800 generally includes a distal cylindrical member 802, a proximal fixing member 804, a proximal cylindrical member 806, a coupling mechanism 808, and an urging mechanism 810.

[0122] The terminal side cylindrical component 802 integrally includes a terminal side cylinder portion 812 and a base side cylinder portion 814. The terminal side cylinder portion 812 is integrally formed with an annular flange 816 protruding outward at the terminal end of the terminal side cylinder portion 812. The terminal side cylinder portion 812 has a large diameter cylindrical inner surface 820 centered on the central axis 818. The base side cylinder portion 814 has a small diameter cylindrical inner surface (not shown) centered on the central axis 818. An annular protrusion 824 protruding inward is formed at the terminal end of the small diameter cylindrical inner surface. The inner diameter of the annular protrusion 824 is the same as the outer peripheral surface 703 (refer to Figure 2 、 3 ) have approximately the same outer diameter.

[0123] The annular protrusion 824 is formed with a pair of longitudinal grooves 826 (only one groove is shown in the drawing) extending in the direction of the central axis 818, symmetrically with respect to the central axis 818. The depth (equivalent to the height of the annular protrusion 824) and width of the longitudinal grooves 826 are approximately equal to the height and width of the protrusion 704 of the male locking portion 700. The annular protrusion 824 has a portion adjacent to one side of each longitudinal groove 826 (the downstream side of the groove 826 in the clockwise direction when viewed from the distal end toward the proximal end) that protrudes toward the proximal end, forming a generally trapezoidal protrusion 828. As shown in the drawing, the corners of the trapezoidal protrusion 828 on both circumferential sides are inclined along an inclined straight line or curve.

[0124] The distal cylindrical member 802 has three protrusions 830 spaced circumferentially apart on the proximal side of the flange 816. Each protrusion 830 has a connecting hole (not shown) extending from the proximal end toward the distal end along the axis 818.

[0125] The proximal-end fixing member 804 is composed of an annular ring 832. The ring 832 has a through-hole 834 whose inner diameter is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the proximal-end cylindrical member 806, which will be described later. Three connecting pins 836 are fixed to the distal end surface of the ring 832, which are arranged at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. The size and arrangement of the connecting pins 836 correspond to the connecting holes (not shown) formed on the protrusion 830 of the distal-end cylindrical member 802. Therefore, the distal-end cylindrical member 802 and the proximal-end fixing member 804 are connected to each other with regular intervals between the protrusions 830 of the distal-end cylindrical member 802 by inserting the three connecting pins 836 into the protrusion 830 of the distal-end cylindrical member 802.

[0126] The proximal cylindrical member 806 is composed of a hollow cylindrical body 840. The outer diameter of the hollow cylindrical body 840 is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the small-diameter cylindrical inner surface of the distal cylindrical member 802 and the inner diameter of the through-hole 834 of the ring 832 of the distal fixing member 804. Therefore, as shown in the figure, the proximal cylindrical member 806 can pass through the ring 832 and be inserted into the small-diameter cylindrical inner surface of the distal cylindrical member 802.

[0127] The inner circumferential surface 841 of the proximal end cylindrical member 806 has an inner diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the annular protrusion 824 formed on the proximal end cylindrical portion 814 of the distal end cylindrical member 802. Therefore, in a state where the distal end of the proximal end cylindrical member 806 is inserted into the distal end cylindrical member 802 from the proximal end thereof ( Figure 7 In the state shown in FIG. 8 , the inner peripheral surface 841 of the base end side cylindrical member 806 is located on the same cylindrical surface as the inner peripheral surface of the annular protrusion 824.

[0128] The distal end portion of the inner circumferential surface 841 of the proximal cylindrical member 806 is cut away within a predetermined circumferential length to form a circumferential recess 842. The circumferential length of the circumferential recess 842 is greater than the circumferential length of the trapezoidal protrusion 828 of the distal cylindrical member 802. The depth (radial dimension) of the circumferential recess 842 is approximately the same as the depth (radial dimension) of the longitudinal groove 826 and is the same as or greater than the height (radial dimension) of the trapezoidal protrusion 828. The axial length of the circumferential recess 842 is approximately equal to the axial length of the trapezoidal protrusion 828.

[0129] A recessed portion or concave surface 844 is formed on the inner circumferential surface 841 of the proximal cylindrical member 806 in a region extending toward the proximal side from a position a predetermined distance away from the circumferential recessed portion 842. This recessed portion or concave surface 844 has the same circumferential width as the circumferential recessed portion 842 and an axial length that is substantially the same as the axial length of the longitudinal projection 708 of the male locking portion 700. The depth (diametrical dimension) of the recessed surface 844 is smaller than the depth (diametrical dimension) of the longitudinal groove 826.

[0130] The circumferential recess 842 and the concave surface 844 are connected by a longitudinal groove 846 that connects one circumferential end portion thereof (the clockwise upstream end portion of the circumferential recess 842 and the concave surface 844 when viewed from the distal end toward the proximal end). A peninsula-shaped circumferential wall 848 is formed in the area surrounded on three sides by the circumferential recess 842, the concave surface 844, and the longitudinal groove 846. The axial length or width of the circumferential wall 848 is equal to the axial length of the gap 709 between the protrusion and the ridge of the male locking portion 700. The depth of the concave surface 844 and the longitudinal groove 846 is the same, which is less than the height of the protrusion 708 and the depth of the longitudinal groove 826 (both radial dimensions).

[0131] Three protrusions 850 are fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the base end side cylindrical part 806 at regular intervals in the circumferential direction. A through hole 852 is formed on each protrusion 850 in the direction of the central axis 818. When the end side cylindrical part 802, the base end side fixing part 804 and the base end side cylindrical part 806 are combined, the connecting pin 836 of the base end side fixing part 804 is inserted through each through hole 852. The distal end of the connecting pin 836 is embedded in the connecting hole of the protrusion 830 (not shown). In addition, a spring 854 is arranged on each connecting pin 836, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the proximal end cylindrical member 806 is urged to move to a position on the most distal side relative to the proximal end fixing member 804 .

[0132] The positions of the connecting hole of protrusion 830 and the through-hole 852 of protrusion 850 are determined so that, when the distal cylindrical member 802, the proximal fixing member 804, and the proximal cylindrical member 806 are assembled, the distal end surface of the proximal cylindrical member 806 abuts against the proximal end surface of the annular protrusion 824 due to the biasing force of spring 854, the longitudinal groove 826 of the distal cylindrical member 802 and the longitudinal groove 846 of the proximal cylindrical member 806 align with the central axis, and the trapezoidal protrusion 828 is accommodated in the circumferential recess 842. As described above, since the circumferential length of the circumferential recess 842 is longer than the circumferential length of the trapezoidal protrusion 828 of the distal cylindrical member 802, in the assembled state, a space (protrusion accommodation chamber) 856 of a predetermined length is formed circumferentially on the opposite side of the longitudinal grooves 826 and 846 across the trapezoidal protrusion 828.

[0133] A rib 857 that projects radially outward is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the proximal cylindrical member 806 at a position closer to the proximal side than the projection 850. The rib 857 extends in the direction of the shaft 818 and is spaced apart from the proximal fixing member 804 at a predetermined distance such that the distance between the proximal end of the rib 857 and the proximal fixing member 804 is greater than the diameter of the projection 704.

[0134] The female locking portion 800 thus configured is secured to the linearly movable portion 228 by the proximal-side fixing member 804 using a suitable fastening member such as a bolt, with the proximal-side rotating cylinder portion 612 of the female connecting portion 600 housed inside the proximal-side cylindrical member 806. In this state, the proximal-side rotating cylinder portion 612 of the female connecting portion 600 is coupled to the rotating portion 238 of the linearly movable portion 228 and can rotate along with the rotation of the rotating portion 238.

[0135] In the above configuration, when the optical probe 300 is connected to the imaging unit 220, the base end of the male connecting portion 500 is positioned opposite the female connecting portion 600. In this state, the male locking portion 700 on the optical probe 300 side faces the female locking portion 800 of the linear moving portion 228, and the distal end-side rotating cylinder portion 523 of the male connecting portion 500 on the optical probe 300 side faces the base end-side rotating cylinder portion 612 of the female connecting portion 600.

[0136] From this state, the male connecting portion 500 on the optical probe 300 side is moved toward the female connecting portion 600. This causes the base end of the longitudinal projection 708 of the male locking portion 700 to abut against the distal end surface of the annular projection 824 of the female locking portion 800 in the locking mechanism 243. From this state, the male connecting portion 500 is rotated until the longitudinal projection 708 aligns with the longitudinal groove 826. The cylindrical outer surface 703 of the male locking portion 700 is then pushed into the inner surface of the proximal cylindrical member 806 of the female locking portion 800. As a result, in the locking mechanism 243, the longitudinal projection 708 passes through the longitudinal grooves 826 and 846 and enters the proximal concave surface 844.

[0137] During the process of pushing in the male connection part 500, the inclined end face 536 of the male connection part 500 contacts the protrusion 618 of the female connection part 600. When the male connection part 500 is moved toward the female connection part 600 in this state, the protrusion 618 moves relatively along the inclined end face 536, thereby causing the terminal side rotating cylinder 523 to bear the circumferential rotational force. The rotation of the terminal side rotating cylinder 523 ends when the protrusion 618 reaches the deepest part of the inclined end face 536. If the male connection part 500 is further moved toward the base end side from this state, the protrusion 618 enters the guide part 534. In this state, the connector 532 is opposite to the adapter 610 in a state in which it can be connected. In addition, in the locking mechanism 243, the terminal end of the protrusion 708 is accommodated in the longitudinal groove 846.

[0138] If the male connecting portion 500 is pushed further toward the base end, the protrusion 704 of the locking mechanism 243 enters the deepest part of the axial direction of the circumferential recess 842 and is in contact with the radial wall (step) 858 (see FIG. Figure 7 )touch.

[0139] Next, when the male connector 500 is pushed further toward the proximal end, overcoming the force of spring 854, protrusion 704 presses against wall 858, causing the proximal cylindrical member 806 to retract toward the proximal end until the proximal end of rib 857 of proximal cylindrical member 806 abuts the proximal end of inner cylindrical portion 518. At this point, connector 532 of male connector 500 abuts adapter 610, forcing it toward the distal end. This force applied to connector 532 causes the distal rotating cylindrical portion 523 to move to a retracted position, where the distal end surface of annular inner wall 524 abuts the proximal end of inner cylindrical portion 518.

[0140] At this time, the elastic member 530 contracts in response to the biasing force applied to the connector 532 from the adapter 610. This prevents the connector 532 from excessively moving toward the distal end.

[0141] As described above, the connector 532 is urged toward the distal end while in contact with the adapter 610 , and is connected to the adapter 610 .

[0142] Next, if the male connection part 500 is rotated (at Figure 7 When the male connector 500 is rotated clockwise (as viewed from the distal end toward the proximal end), the protrusion 704 passes between the trapezoidal protrusion 828 and the circumferential wall 848 opposing it, reaching the circumferential end of the circumferential recess 842. Subsequently, when the force applied to the male connector 500 is released from this state, the proximal cylindrical member 806 and the protrusion 704 are pushed back to the distal end by the force of the spring 854. As a result, the protrusion 704 is stored in the protrusion storage chamber 856, and the optical probe 300 is locked while connected to the rotating portion 238.

[0143] When the optical probe 300 is separated from the rotating part 238, the male connecting part 500 is pushed toward the base end side by overcoming the force of the spring 854, and the protrusion 704 causes the base end side cylindrical member 806 to retreat toward the base end side. Then, while maintaining this state, the male connecting part 500 is rotated (at Figure 7 If the male connector 500 is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the distal end to the proximal end, the projection 704 passes between the trapezoidal projection 828 and the circumferential wall 848 facing it, and reaches between the longitudinal grooves 826 and 846. Next, if the force applied to the male connector 500 is released from this state, the projection 704 and the male connector 500 are pushed back to the distal end by the force of the spring 854.

[0144] When the male connecting portion 500 is moved toward the distal end from the position where the protrusion 704 is located between the longitudinal grooves 826 and 846, the guide portion 534 moves toward the distal end, and the distal rotating cylindrical portion 523 moves to an advanced position where the proximal end surface of the annular outer wall 528 abuts the small-diameter cylindrical portion 522. This causes the connector 532 to separate from the adapter 610. Furthermore, in the locking mechanism 243, the longitudinal protrusion 708 moves toward the distal end from the proximal concave surface 844 through the longitudinal grooves 826 and 846. Ultimately, the male locking portion 700 separates from the female locking portion 800, and the male connecting portion 500 separates from the female connecting portion 600.

[0145] [Explanation of symbols]

[0146] 238: Driving unit (rotating unit)

[0147] 242: Connecting mechanism

[0148] 243: Locking mechanism

[0149] 300: Optical probe

[0150] 500: Male connection

[0151] 512: Central axis

[0152] 523: End side rotating cylinder

[0153] 532: Connector

[0154] 534: Guidance Department

[0155] 536: Inclined end face

[0156] 600: Female connection

[0157] 610: Adapter

[0158] 612: Base end side rotating cylinder

[0159] 616: Central axis

[0160] 618: protrusion

[0161] 700: Male locking part

[0162] 704: protrusion

[0163] 800: Female locking part

[0164] 802: End side cylindrical part

[0165] 804: Base end fixing member

[0166] 806: Base end side cylindrical component

[0167] 818: Central axis

[0168] 826: Vertical Slot

[0169] 828: Protrusion

[0170] 842: Circumferential recess

[0171] 854: Spring

[0172] 856: Space

[0173] 858: wall

Claims

1. A connecting mechanism (242) for connecting an optical probe (300) for an optical tomography apparatus and a driving unit (238) for rotating the optical probe (300), characterized in that: (a) The connecting mechanism (242) comprises: a cylindrical female connection portion (600) disposed on the distal end of the driving portion (238); A cylindrical male connection portion (500) is provided on the base end side of the optical probe (300), (b) The female connection portion (600) comprises: a cylindrical base end rotating cylinder (612) provided at the distal end of the female connection part (600) coaxially with the central axis (616) of the female connection part (600); an adapter (610) fixed to the inner side of the female connection portion (600); A protrusion (618) formed on the inner peripheral surface of the female connection portion (600), (c) The male connection portion (500) comprises: a cylindrical terminal-side rotating cylinder (523) provided at the base end of the male connecting portion (500) coaxially with the central axis (512) of the male connecting portion (500); a connector (532) fixed to the inner side of the terminal side rotating cylinder (523) in a manner corresponding to the adapter (610); a guide portion (534) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the terminal side rotating cylinder portion (523) and extending from the end portion on the base end side of the terminal side rotating cylinder portion (523) toward the terminal side along the axial direction of the male connecting portion (500); An inclined end surface (536) is symmetrical with respect to a plane including the guide portion (534) and the central axis (512) of the male connecting portion (500) on the base end side of the distal end rotating cylinder portion (523), and extends toward the base end side along the axial direction of the male connecting portion (500). The terminal side rotating cylinder (523) is configured to rotate around the central axis (512) of the male connecting portion (500). (d) The connector (532) is connected to the adapter (610) by inserting the distal end rotating cylinder (523) of the male connecting part (500) into the proximal end rotating cylinder (612) of the female connecting part (600) so that the inclined end surface (536) of the male connecting part (500) abuts against the protrusion (618) of the female connecting part (600). The male connecting part (500) is rotated, and the protrusion (618) is inserted into the guide part (534). The male connection part (500) includes an elastic component (530) provided between the male connection part (500) and the connector (532). The elastic component (530) has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction of the male connection part (500).

2. The connecting mechanism (242) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal side rotating cylinder (523) is configured to be movable along the axial direction of the male connecting portion (500).

Images